The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 526: Chapter 412: Land Exchange

On the evening of August 11th, Australasia's Foreign Minister Daize Taylor, accompanied by several subordinates, knocked on the door of the British Minister of Foreign Affairs Grey's room and personally delivered a well-prepared gift.

"It's Minister Taylor! Please come in. I wonder what brings you here so late; I was just about to rest and get ready for tomorrow's negotiations," Minister Grey said with a smile as he accepted the gift and invited Minister Taylor and his subordinates to enter.

"Minister Grey, to be honest, I have come here on a mission. Today's negotiations have reached a stalemate, which is not good news for us. If possible, I hope that both sides can resolve the territorial disputes as soon as possible, bring peace to the Middle East region, and deploy more troops to the Eastern and Western battlefronts, ending this war," Minister Taylor said with a smile.

"Of course, Minister Taylor. Australasia and the United Kingdom share the same origin. We are unbreakable allies and kinsmen. However, as you know, the British military has suffered many casualties in the wars in the Middle East. It is not unreasonable for us to demand the Iraq region," Minister Grey nodded in agreement but did not yield in his words.

"Certainly, Minister Grey. But as you know, in the war against the Ottoman Empire, the majority of the contribution was made by the Australasia Army. This includes defeating Bulgaria, the attack and defense of Constantinople, landing on the Anatolian Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula, and so on.

It was our occupation of the Ottoman Empire's most important grain-producing area that led the empire to seek peace. Therefore, I think our request for the Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia and the Iraq region is not a problem.

If your country is willing, we can compensate and make up for it in other areas," Minister Taylor nodded without refuting the fact that the British Empire had made contributions, but also pointed out that Australasia's contributions far exceeded those of the British Empire.

"I would also like to say the same thing, Minister Taylor. If your country is willing, the British Empire can use other lands to exchange for Iraq and recognize Australasia's occupation of the Saudi coast of the Persian Gulf," said Minister Grey, smiling but with a firm tone.

The Iraq region is located right at the center of the Middle East. To the west, there is British-occupied Egypt, and to the east, there is British-occupied Afghanistan and India. Your next journey awaits at m v|l-e'-novelhall.net

If Britain could control Iraq, it would also control the majority of the Middle East region. Coupled with colonies in Yemen and Oman, British territory in the Middle East region would be connected, further consolidating its rule over India.

Iraq's position in the Middle East is somewhat special. The Mesopotamian Plain is one of the few grain-producing areas in the Middle East and has a relatively large population.

The value of occupying Iraq is much higher than that of Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, and the Saudi coastal region.

Moreover, Iraq's geographic location not only allows Britain to control the northwest Ottoman Empire but also helps defend against the Russian Empire in northern Iraq. It does no harm to the British Empire.

With such vital geographic location and economic value, Minister Grey naturally will not let Iraq fall into Australasia's hands, even if it is an ally.

However, Minister Grey's offer is precisely what Minister Taylor wants. Despite Iraq's higher economic value, the downside for Australasia outweighs the benefit.

Such a colony with a large indigenous population is not only challenging to manage but also likely to provoke jealousy and covetousness from other powers.

On the other hand, the small colonies of the Saudi Persian Gulf coast and some parts of the Arabian Peninsula, though still vast in size, have little population, mostly desert, less development potential, lower economic value, and less likely to cause discontent from other powers.

As for the Four Great Powers of the Allies, their relationship is very complex. The Allies can be divided into the Anglo-French Agreement, the Franco-Russian Alliance, the Anglo-Russian Agreement, the Anglo-Australian Treaty, and the Russia-Australasia Agreement.

France and Russia have a good relationship, Russia has a good relationship with France and Australasia, Australasia has a good relationship with the UK and Russia, and the UK has a good relationship with Australasia and France.

But it's not over yet. Although the British and French have a good relationship, the British are also guarding against the French and Russians.

In this way, the only ally that Britain can trust and rely on after the war is Australasia.

Due to Australia's unique geographical location, it is the only country that will not cause direct conflicts with Britain, France, and Russia.

After the war, France and Russia will definitely expand massively in their native land and colonies, and Britain is the most reluctant to see these two countries become more powerful.

If France and Russia join forces, a standalone Britain will be powerless, and Australasia's support becomes more important, as it can be used to divide the Franco-Russian Alliance.

Hearing the hint in Minister Daize's words, Minister Grey nodded and laughed, "Of course, Minister Daize. Australasia is the British Empire's closest ally and the most valued partner of the entire British government. Our relationship should be closer, and compared to our relationship, a Kuwait is not that important."

Yes, Minister Grey quickly made a decision to add Kuwait and use Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain to exchange for the entire Mesopotamian plain.

As for why not the Truce Nations (UAE), it can be seen from the map as well.

Although Kuwait is also close to the Mesopotamian plain, it has a smaller area of land and far fewer people than in the Iraq region.

More importantly, compared to Kuwait, the Truce Nations are located at the entrance of the Persian Gulf, and the British Empire already controls the exit of the Persian Gulf.

In such a situation, a small Kuwait is naturally not as important as the Truce Nations.

Moreover, the British Empire's rule over the Truce Nations has even begun nearly a hundred years ago.

As for the Kuwait area, the British Empire only signed an agreement with the Kuwait Emirate more than a decade ago, turning Kuwait into a protectorate.

Although losing Kuwait would make the coastal area of the Mesopotamian plain narrower,

as long as they can control the exit of the Persian Gulf, it is the same as controlling the entire Persian Gulf coast, and Kuwait will not be that important.